As we mull and ponder the moves Kevin Colbert and Omar Kahn will make over the next few months to keep the Steelers’ competitive, we must remember that the Steelers are far away from just a one year fix. At face value, this team is good. The offense will still have weapons without Mike Wallace, the running back situation without Mendenhall will still be adequate and Ben can sling the ball with the best of them. The defense was number one in the league and that leads man to see that the Steelers have a plethora of talent.

But look at the teams in the playoffs, specifically the Championship games and you see where the Steelers lack the edge to just flip a switch on an easy 2013 run.

The Steelers are going to lack playmakers next season aside from a healthy Troy Polamalu, which is in itself a risk. By playmakers, I mean guys who force opposition to fundamentally shift the way they approach the game. The Ravens have Ray Rice and Ed Reed, two players you can key on but will produce. Reed and Ray Lewis are arguably on their last legs but the Ravens production thus far shows their impact.

The Patriots biggest playmaker their offensive system, designed by a coach who has one of the top three quarterbacks of all time to throw the ball. You can’t hold the Patriots to under 20 points unless you play a 4-3 defense with four great pass rushers, aka why only the Giants and occasionally the Jets have their number in recent memory.

The 49er’s now have Collin Kapernick and on defense, Patrick Willis is arguably the best linebacker in the league. The 49′ers are the 2009 Steelers all over again: Dominant defense with almost every player playing in their prime, playmaking quarterback with fantastic weapons forcing a defense to take risks every down.

The only team I see like the Steelers are the Atlanta Falcons, a solid overall team that doesn’t possess playmakers, but as a team is just superior at almost every position. The Steelers though don’t have the talent Atlanta does and this is why the Steelers are at home and the Falcons are the number one team in the NFC.

I am not saying the Steelers are doomed. The NFL is all about health and “Any Given Sunday” which is why no one goes undefeated and the Giants at 9-7 can win the Super Bowl. But the Giants got lucky in games and played 110% in the last weeks of the season. Honestly, that is what the Steelers need if they wish to win another Super Bowl with the current team in place.

The draft will yield talented players, however aside from Ben Roethlisberger no Steelers’ rookie has truly been a game changer in year one. The Steelers are entering a new era of transition, not rebuilding. The team will be competitive and playoff worthy.

As we mull and ponder the moves Kevin Colbert and Omar Kahn will make over the next few months to keep the Steelers’ competitive, we must remember that the Steelers are far away from just a one year fix. At face value, this team is good. The offense will still have weapons without Mike Wallace, the running back situation without Mendenhall will still be adequate and Ben can sling the ball with the best of them. The defense was number one in the league and that leads man to see that the Steelers have a plethora of talent.

But look at the teams in the playoffs, specifically the Championship games and you see where the Steelers lack the edge to just flip a switch on an easy 2013 run.

The Steelers are going to lack playmakers next season aside from a healthy Troy Polamalu, which is in itself a risk. By playmakers, I mean guys who force opposition to fundamentally shift the way they approach the game. The Ravens have Ray Rice and Ed Reed, two players you can key on but will produce. Reed and Ray Lewis are arguably on their last legs but the Ravens production thus far shows their impact.

The Patriots biggest playmaker their offensive system, designed by a coach who has one of the top three quarterbacks of all time to throw the ball. You can’t hold the Patriots to under 20 points unless you play a 4-3 defense with four great pass rushers, aka why only the Giants and occasionally the Jets have their number in recent memory.

The 49er’s now have Collin Kapernick and on defense, Patrick Willis is arguably the best linebacker in the league. The 49′ers are the 2009 Steelers all over again: Dominant defense with almost every player playing in their prime, playmaking quarterback with fantastic weapons forcing a defense to take risks every down.

The only team I see like the Steelers are the Atlanta Falcons, a solid overall team that doesn’t possess playmakers, but as a team is just superior at almost every position. The Steelers though don’t have the talent Atlanta does and this is why the Steelers are at home and the Falcons are the number one team in the NFC.

I am not saying the Steelers are doomed. The NFL is all about health and “Any Given Sunday” which is why no one goes undefeated and the Giants at 9-7 can win the Super Bowl. But the Giants got lucky in games and played 110% in the last weeks of the season. Honestly, that is what the Steelers need if they wish to win another Super Bowl with the current team in place.

The draft will yield talented players, however aside from Ben Roethlisberger no Steelers’ rookie has truly been a game changer in year one. The Steelers are entering a new era of transition, not rebuilding. The team will be competitive and playoff worthy.

And Pouncey was a difference maker in year 1. Unless you can go to the Pro Bowl without making a difference.

There is no way to diagnose a team as Super Bowl or not Super Bowl-worthy 9 months before the season starts. All we can do is evaluate what we know and then see how things begin to play out once the season starts.

pczach

01-15-2013, 04:43 PM

It's ridiculous to think that the Steelers have no chance of going far next year. Just getting players healthy makes them much better. If they lose Wallace and Mendenhall, there's a chance it could be addition by subtraction. Rookie RB can make an immediate impact in this league. Replacing Wallace's speed will be difficult. The heart with which he plays is a different story. I can't think of a Steeler in recent memory that has played with less heart and determination than Mike Wallace. An injection of desire is something this team needs badly. Hines Ward toughened and willed this team to compete. We need players that talk less and produce more. Particularly at WR.

Never believe that a team with this many winners has no shot. They need to show what they're made of this year, but I think they're going to show everyone that they're far from done.

Ricco Suavez

01-15-2013, 04:46 PM

Last year 12-4 and an early exit, and lots of injuries to key players. This year 6-3 and then key injuries and an 8-8 record. I know we are older in several key positions, but I think we can make a run if #7 can stay healthy, adapt to the new system (similar to what he was doing during that 3 game winning streak) Haley can adapt a little to play to his QBs strengths, Tomlin has to "come down" on some people, a little luck would be good too. We are not a bad team, but we are not a dominant team either. We need to win some close games that we lost this year, and we need #7 to be the #7 of two-three years ago, or at least the #7 of the small sample we had at 6-3.

harrison'samonster

01-15-2013, 04:48 PM

interesting article to read, but there's a long time between now and the end of pre-season. A lot of things can change.

BlaZeQuietly

01-15-2013, 04:49 PM

We can have a good season next year, we just had bad luck and made some really stupid plays this year, this team doesnt lack talent it lacks discipline.

steelfury02

01-15-2013, 05:08 PM

this is part of this team's mental problem IMO - we(I know) can't freakin worry about getting back to the playoffs, getting back to the AFC Champ game, getting back to the SB

We have to play every game as a 1 game season and truly respect every team. They should be effing pissed off at themselves and make sure 1 thing happens first: WIN THE DIVISION. GO 6-0. Next: NOBODY WINS AT HEINZ...NOBODY. Where's the heart at? Where's the Steelers pride? They are an officially written off team - now is the time to forget about everything and play with nothing to lose. Nothing matters but winning the next game.

WIN . . .WIN . . .WIN!

steelfury02

01-15-2013, 05:09 PM

We can have a good season next year, we just had bad luck and made some really stupid plays this year, this team doesnt lack talent it lacks discipline.

to quote one of my favorite movies . . ."What's a matter, you got a ticker problem? Cause you've been training like a 9th rate punk that should be pumpin' gas in Jersey."

The_Joker

01-15-2013, 05:09 PM

Unlike you guys, I think Tomlin is the perfect coach for that job.

harrison'samonster

01-15-2013, 05:13 PM

this is part of this team's mental problem IMO - we(I know) can't freakin worry about getting back to the playoffs, getting back to the AFC Champ game, getting back to the SB

We have to play every game as a 1 game season and truly respect every team. They should be effing pissed off at themselves and make sure 1 thing happens first: WIN THE DIVISION. GO 6-0. Next: NOBODY WINS AT HEINZ...NOBODY. Where's the heart at? Where's the Steelers pride? They are an officially written off team - now is the time to forget about everything and play with nothing to lose. Nothing matters but winning the next game.

WIN . . .WIN . . .WIN!

very well said. I don't know what their preparation for each game is like, but when we had that Balt-Cleveland-Balt part of the schedule, this team came alive. That's how they need to play each game. Focus and play to win each game.

tanda10506

01-15-2013, 05:56 PM

I would agree that we're more then 1 year away from the SB. Yes the Colts made a drastic improvement this year, but they were a team starting fresh, and they wouldn't hold up to the 4 teams that are left. The reason I think we're more then one year away is because our problems seem to be mental and our vets are going to continue to drop off or retire. After the 2009 season a lot of people thought we were starting a downward slide, but not me. Teams often struggle after winning or even going to the SB.

It's a bit different now though. We have no real leadership like we had then with Ward and Farrior. Age wasn't being talked about then, yet now we have guys that are nowhere near where they once were and we don't have anyone behind them in most cases. I wouldn't be totally surprised if they "right the ship" and make it to the SB, but there's just nothing we've seen in the last 2 years that makes me think they will without some great draft picks and serious coaching changes (I'm not talking about changing Tomlin, I'm talking about heart and discipline, and better in-game and personnel decisions).

tanda10506

01-15-2013, 05:59 PM

this is part of this team's mental problem IMO - we(I know) can't freakin worry about getting back to the playoffs, getting back to the AFC Champ game, getting back to the SB

We have to play every game as a 1 game season and truly respect every team. They should be effing pissed off at themselves and make sure 1 thing happens first: WIN THE DIVISION. GO 6-0. Next: NOBODY WINS AT HEINZ...NOBODY. Where's the heart at? Where's the Steelers pride? They are an officially written off team - now is the time to forget about everything and play with nothing to lose. Nothing matters but winning the next game.

WIN . . .WIN . . .WIN!

I wish our players cared as much as we do. I completely agree, their's no pride or heart. Often times it seemed like we on the forum put more into Sunday's game then the players.

austinfrench76

01-15-2013, 09:01 PM

Ok, so Ben gets hurt and that cost us the playoffs (I think we can all agree on that) and we aren't a 1 year fix? What exactly are we fixing? I know we have holes, as every single team in the NFL does but again what exactly are we fixing? #1 ranked defense and a QB having an MVP caliber season. Now everyone wnats to fire Haley, Tomlin and "fix" the Steelers. There are MANY teams in this league that would love to as close to being "fixed" as the Steelers.

No team can hold NE below 20 points, when's their last SB victory? The 49'ers??? Kapernick is a rookie. Next year, the league figures him out! Plain and simple just like Cam Newton. The Ravens are the Ravens. Good not great, Lewis retires and so does Reed soon. They have an average offense and a below average defense now. The Falcons are good, with playmakers, and according to this article they are the closest thing in the Playoffs to the Steelers?? You know what, I'll take it! We will be fine next year. We have personnel holes that need filled but I see us playing much better on O because the players have another year in the system. We do have to figure out the RB situation, and we will, and I think Ben plays an entire year (that's probably the most hopeful thing I've said in this post) but the Steelers need to bring in another vet to back him up anyways. Or draft for the future. I just don't think we are broken. We are hurting b/c we aren't in the playoffs but we do not over react. We are not the Clowns and all these other teams that fire coaches or make big swooping changes on a whim. It's why I am a Steeler fan!

Steel Peon

01-15-2013, 09:03 PM

Mostly, I say this article was an ass blast, and I see no reason to think we won't be a major contender this coming year. If given our roster in good health, you have many players who have won multiple championships, and/or have been there pretty recently. Our defense would really have to tank in order for us to have a worse season, and they kept us in there well enough for most great teams. All we need is some offense/points, and something that doesn't look like a cluster fuck on special teams, and we should be a tough team.

teegre

01-15-2013, 09:13 PM

Ok, so Ben gets hurt and that cost us the playoffs (I think we can all agree on that) and we aren't a 1 year fix? What exactly are we fixing? I know we have holes, as every single team in the NFL does but again what exactly are we fixing? #1 ranked defense and a QB having an MVP caliber season. Now everyone wnats to fire Haley, Tomlin and "fix" the Steelers. There are MANY teams in this league that would love to as close to being "fixed" as the Steelers.

No team can hold NE below 20 points, when's their last SB victory? The 49'ers??? Kapernick is a rookie. Next year, the league figures him out! Plain and simple just like Cam Newton. The Ravens are the Ravens. Good not great, Lewis retires and so does Reed soon. They have an average offense and a below average defense now. The Falcons are good, with playmakers, and according to this article they are the closest thing in the Playoffs to the Steelers?? You know what, I'll take it! We will be fine next year. We have personnel holes that need filled but I see us playing much better on O because the players have another year in the system. We do have to figure out the RB situation, and we will, and I think Ben plays an entire year (that's probably the most hopeful thing I've said in this post) but the Steelers need to bring in another vet to back him up anyways. Or draft for the future. I just don't think we are broken. We are hurting b/c we aren't in the playoffs but we do not over react. We are not the Clowns and all these other teams that fire coaches or make big swooping changes on a whim. It's why I am a Steeler fan!

I was thinking the same thing: a lot of teams will be coming back to the pack... and, even if the Steelers remained the same, they'd be a play-off team. Likewise, staying healthy would make them a serious contender. And, lastly, if they can fix their special teams, so that it does not give up tons of yardage, the Steelers would be a "favorite" to win it all.

BlaZeQuietly

01-15-2013, 11:06 PM

I'm going to be so glad when we finally take care of the running back situation. It's time to give up on Mendenhall,

Rainey/Dwyer and a huge pick up is probably the best solution. Of course Rainey only in certain situations, and dwyer getting about 25% of the carries, and whoever we pick up to carry the work load. It would make bens job easier if the other team is actually preparing for a good running game AND passing game. Seems obvious to me, we better not go out and draft a bunch of linemen who are never worth a shit or just get injured in preseason, gettin really sick of that.

Justp94

01-18-2013, 12:29 AM

Bullshit, the Steelers always find a way to win and we'll do it again next year!

Riddle_Of_Steel

01-18-2013, 01:13 AM

Sorry, but I think the article is pretty realistic.

IF everybody can stay healthy, and that is one big mutha of an IF, they have a chance. But keep in mind-- a lot of veterans that have helped lead this team the last decade will be aging out finally.

Who do we have behind Casey Hampton right now? Big Steve, who has looked good in spot duty-- but so did Redman and Dwyer. Besides him, we have a guy that is likely to be going to jail and won no playing time anyhow.

DT...check. The most important position on our defense.

If they don't sign Keenan Lewis (who it took us 3 years to groom), we have an aging and damaged Ike Taylor, plus a handful of no-names that costed us the Chargers and Cowboys games at CB.

If Harrison walks like many are projecting, we have a fatass trying out for nosetackle, and Jason Worilds, who has looked good in spot duty, but not when given significant playing time.

We have Hood, who is a misplaced 4-3 DE in a 3-4. On the other side, we will have Heyward, who has looked good in spot duty.

That right there is a lot of holes and question marks on the defense, arguably the unit that has carried this team for who knows how long. A bunch of unprovens going to be coming of age, ready or not.

Do we even want to think about our offense without Heath Miller at this point? I think Brown comes back next year ready to game, but I think Sanders has hit his ceiling. Cotchery needs more time in the field.

If Mendenhall walks, do we want to trust our run game to Dwyer and Redman for another season?

I think the Steelers could go either way-- they may stink, or burn it down next year. Too many unproven variables to throw in for me to be able to predict. Next year will be very interesting...and a very important one for Tomlin.